Nectarine tree named &#34;Nectarjewel&#34;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, denominated ‘Nectarjewel’, has fruit of very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality and an attractive, very high percentage red skin. The tree is of large size and is vigorous. Moreover fruit can be consumed crunchy or melting.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No. 2006/0994 filed on Apr. 24, 2006 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED

Prunus persica var. nucipersica.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Nectarjewel’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, Prunus persica var. nucipersica, which has been given the variety denomination ‘Nectarjewel’. This new tree produces fruit with a long shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very good eating quality, Clingstone flesh fruit for fresh market in August in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. Contrast is made to ‘Snowqueen’, ‘Zaitabo’ (Big Top®), ‘Nectarmagie’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,579), ‘Monphir’ (Zephyr®), ‘Maillarmagie’ (Magique®) nectarines, and ‘Merdame’ (Elegant Lady®) (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,399) peach, standard varieties, for reliable description. ‘Nectarjewel’ is a promising candidate for commercial success in that it has an early flowering, fruit with very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, and so a very durable fruit.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

‘Nectarjewel’ nectarine tree originated in a cultivated area of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement where it was tested. The ‘Nectarjewel’ variety results from a pollinated cross of an unnamed white nectarine tree which was used as the seed parent. The unnamed nectarine tree was originated by using ‘Julie’ (Tendresse®) nectarine as seed parent and ‘Zaitabo’ (Big Top®) nectarine tree as pollen parent. Pollen parent of ‘Nectarjewel’ variety is ‘Maillarmagie’ (Magique®) nectarine tree. ‘Nectarjewel’ was provisionally designated, tested and genetically identified by a genetic profile, as 03.12.74 NB-ASF 0426 and is registered at the Official Catalogue of the Agriculture Ministry of the French Republic Dec. 27, 2005 under number 1018857. It was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of this standard rootstock on this scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us in Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of nectarine tree blooms in early March at Perpignan in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. More particularly, it blooms between 8^(th) and 20^(th) of March, one day after ‘Snowqueen’ and ‘Zaitabo’ (Big Top®) varieties and one day before ‘Nectarmagie’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,579) variety.

The first fruit of ‘Nectarjewel’ nectarine tree ripens at the end of July to beginning of August, approximately 4 days before the first fruit of ‘Monphir’ (Zephyr®) variety and from 2 to 6 days before ‘Merdame’ (Elegant Lady®) (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,399) variety. More particularly, it approximately ripens between July 31^(th) and August 8^(th). The date of maturity varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. More particularly, date of maturity variations, until 5 or 6 days, can be due by climatic conditions during a 2-months period before blooming.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which depicts the reverse and side view of the flower and the reproductive organs with petals removed of the new variety.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows typical specimens of the fruit on the tree, the leaf and branch of the new variety.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph which shows a twig bearing typical leaves; a dorsal view of a single leaf; a whole fruit sufficiently mature for harvesting and shipment; and a second fruit which has been cut in half with the pit being left in one of the halves for depicting fruit flesh, pit cavity and stone of the new variety.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph which shows more precisely the second fruit of FIG. 3, which has been cut in half with the pit being left in one of the halves for depicting fruit flesh, pit cavity and stone of the new variety.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘Nectarjewel’ is high, due to fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-spread to semi-upright out aspect. The flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. Flowering begins early in springtime. The type of flower is showy with relative large petal size. Petals are pale pink. Leaf glands are present and reniform. Time of maturity for consumption is medium. The fruit flesh is white and its skin is very thick, of bright purple red blush color with a pink-washed red background. The stone is medium size and the flesh is adherent to the stone. Fruit taste is semi-sweet.

Compared to ‘Maillarmagie’ (Magique®) variety, ‘Nectarjewel’ has a later time of maturity, more than 20 days after, a grouped maturity, and a red fruit coloration which reaches 90 to 100% of the fruit skin instead of 60 to 70% for ‘Maillarmagie’ (Magique®). Fruit of ‘Nectarjewel’ variety has a better and very attractive appearance, with a homogeneous round shape. Moreover fruit can be consumed crunchy or melting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has been observed during the fourth fruiting season, corresponding to the fifth growing season, under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations have been done on rootstock cultivar. The rootstock was a ‘Franc Inra Montclar®’ tree. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Color Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Generally. — Considered large as compared to other             common commercial nectarine cultivars. The tree size the             first year was approximately 280 cm. The tree was pruned             during each following dormant season to a height of             approximately 250 cm. Current seasons shoots growth could             reach 80 cm. So the tree size from the second year (second             and next years) reached a final height of 330 cm with             current seasons shots length comprised.         -   Spread.—Approximately 1.0 meter. The whole orchard was             oriented to a central leader organisation, with tree lines             spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1 meter in a same             tree line.         -   Vigor.—Considered vigorous. The present variety grew from             about 200 cm to 280 cm in height during the first growing             season. For second and following seasons, the variety was             pruned to an approximate height of 250 cm.         -   Productivity.—Very Productive. Fruit set is spaced by             thinning to develop the remaining fruit into the desired             market sized fruit. The number of the fruit set varies with             the prevailing climatic conditions and cultural practices             employed during the bloom period, and is therefore not             distinctive of the present variety.         -   Bearer.—Very regular. A thinning of 1 fruits on 3 was             necessary for the tree valorisation. Thinning may not be too             important because of the high magnifying potential of the             fruit. Thinning was necessary every year during the past 4             years.         -   Form.—The ‘Nectarjewel’ variety has naturally a semi-spread             to semi-upright shape.         -   Density.—Considered medium dense.         -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in             France. The variety appears to be hardy under typical             central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.             Experimentations on different sites with winter chilling             requirement comprised between 350 hours and 1200 hours             showed a good behaviour of the tree in all cases. No damages             were caused by ascertained temperatures as low as −12             degrees Celsius. The tree was also very resistant to frosty             springtime weather. -   Trunk:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately between 8.0 cm and 9.5 cm in             diameter when measured at a distance of approximately 30 cm             above the soil level, on trees of the fifth growing season.             The branching begins at 50 cm above the soil level.         -   Bark texture.—Considered slightly rough, with numerous folds             of papery scarfskin being present.         -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present on trees of the             fifth growing season. The lenticels range in size from             approximately 4.5 millimeters to 7.5 millimeters in width,             and from 2.5 millimeters to 3.0 millimeters in height.         -   Lenticel color.—The outside of lenticels has a silver-grey             color (RHS Grey 201 D to RHS Black 202 D), whereas the             inside is considered brown (RHS Greyed Orange 166B).         -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a silver-grey color a little             more pronounced than lenticels outside color (RHS Grey 201 C             to RHS Black 202 C). -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are             considered medium to thick for the variety.         -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other nectarine varieties.             The current season shoots have a diameter from 4.5 to 9.0             millimeters, and branches of trees of the fifth growing             season have a diameter comprised between 21.0 and 46.0             millimeters. -   Surface texture.—Average, wood which is several years old has no     furrowed appearance.     -   -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but             the crotch angles are generally between 60 degrees and 70             degrees from the horizontal axis. This particular             characteristic is not considered distinctive of the variety,             however.         -   Current season shoots.—Surface texture. — Substantially             glabrous.         -   Internode length.—Generally 25.0 millimeters to 35.0             millimeters.         -   Color of mature branches.—Medium brown (RHS Grey Brown 199             A).         -   Current seasons shoots.—Color. — The color of new shoot tips             is considered a light green (RHS Green 143 C-D) on lower             part of new shoot tips, whereas the upper part is colored in             more or less brown-red (RHS Greyed Red 182 A-B-C-D)             following the position on the shoot. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Considered large for the species. Leaf measurements             have been taken from vigorous, upright, current-season             growth at approximately mid-shoot. The ratio leaf             length/leaf width is above 4.         -   Leaf length.—Approximately 185.0 to 235.0 millimeters with             leaf petiole.         -   Leaf width.—Approximately 37.0 to 54.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf base shape.—Slightly oblique relative to the leaf             longitudinal axis.         -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.         -   Leaf tip form.—Acuminate.         -   Leaf color.—Upper leaf surface. — Dark Green (RHS Green 137             A). Lower surface. — Medium Green (RHS Green 137 B to 137             C).         -   Leaf texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.         -   Mid-vein.—Color. — Light green with a cream touch (RHS             Yellow Green 145 D).         -   Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating.         -   Form.—Considered slightly dentate.         -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In             this last case, it is found one leaf of normal size with one             or two smaller leaves (size-reduction of 50% and more).         -   Leaf petioles.—Size. — Considered medium. Length. — About             6.0 to about 12.0 mm. Diameter. — About 1.5 to about 2.0 mm.             Color. — Light green with a cream touch (RHS Yellow Green             145 D).         -   Leaf glands.—Size. — Considered small. Their length is about             1.0 millimeters. Number. — 4 glands per leaf. Type. —             Reniform. Color. — On young leaves, leaf glands color is             considered a pale green (RHS Green 145 B). On older leaves,             leaf glands color turn to a dark brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A             to 199 B).         -   Leaf stipules.—Generally. — No leaf stipules were observed.             But as seen in the characteristic relative to the leaves             uniformity, it is possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or             3, with a normal-size leaf and smaller ones. -   Flowers:     -   -   Flower buds.—Generally. — At pre-floral stage of             development, the floral buds are conic in form with a round             tip. Their form is evolving until blooming, with variables             dimensions. Just before blooming, floral buds are             approximately 10.0 millimeters wide and approximately 18.0             millimeters long.         -   Flower buds.—Color. — This characteristic is dependent upon             the proximity to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development,             the bottom of the flowers buds, formed by sepals, is of             purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A); the corolla,             formed by petals, is generally of pale pink color (RHS Red             Purple 69 C). Petals color shows an evolution until the end             of flowering. The buds are considered hardy under typical             central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.         -   Hardiness.—No winter injury was noted during the last             several years of evaluation in the central             Pyrénées-Orientales departement, with winter temperatures as             low as −10 degrees Celsius in January. The current variety             has not been intentionally subjected to drought or heat             stress, but the variety showed a very good resistance in             orchard to temperatures up to 42 degrees Celsius with an             average temperature between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius during             3 weeks in summer.         -   Date of bloom.—Generally March. The first bloom was observed             on Mar. 8, 2006.         -   Blooming time.—Considered early-season in relative             comparison to other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in             the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of             full bloom is observed on March. The date of bloom varies             slightly with climatic conditions and cultural practices.             Thus the first full bloom was observed approximately on Mar.             14, 2006.         -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately 13 days. This             characteristic varies slightly with the prevailing climatic             conditions.         -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type             flower.         -   Flower size.—Considered large. Flower diameter at full bloom             is approximately 31.0 to 36.0 millimeters.         -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant, approximately 45             flowers per meter.         -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per             node, occasionally 1.         -   Petal size.—Generally. — Considered large for the species.         -   Length.—Generally about 20.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Generally about 19.0 millimeters.         -   Petal form.—Round-shaped.         -   Petal count.—Nearly always 5.         -   Petal texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Petal color.—Pale Pink (RHS Red Purple 69 A) when young,             darkening with advancing senescence.         -   Fragrance.—Slight.         -   Petal claw.—Form. — The claw is considered to have a conic             form with a slighty rounded extremity. Length. —             Approximately 8.0 to 10.0 millimeters. Width. —             Approximately 6.0 to 8.0 millimeters.         -   Petal margins.—Generally very slightly undulated.         -   Petal apex.—Generally. — The petal apices are generally             entire at the tip, and dome-shaped.         -   Flower pedicel.—Length. — Considered medium to large and             having an average length of approximately 3.0 to 5.0             millimeters. Diameter. — Considered average, approximately             2.0 millimeters. Color. — A medium brown (RHS Grey Brown             N199 C to D).         -   Floral nectaries.—Color. — A green yellow (varying from RHS             Yellow 13 A-B Group to RHS Yellow Green 150 A-B Group)         -   Calyx.—Internal surface texture. — Smooth and glabrous.             Color. — The outer surface of the calyx is considered of             Purple-brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A) color.         -   Sepals.—Surface texture. — The outer surface has a short,             fine pubescent texture. Size. — Average. Color. — A flat Red             (approximately RHS Greyed Red 178 A to RHS Grey Brown 199A).         -   Average number of stamens per flower.—Approximately 40             stamens per flower.         -   Anthers.—Generally. — Average in length. Color. — Red to             orange-red color (approximately RHS Greyed Purple 178 A             Group). Anthers are becoming yellow at maturity.         -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow             color (Approximately RHS Yellow Orange 17 B-C) changing with             maturity. The present variety is considered self fruitful             (self-pollinating).         -   Filaments.—Size. — Variable in length, approximately 13.0 to             16.0 millimeters in length. Filament's length is generally             equal to pistil's length. Filaments are shorter than petals.         -   Color.—Considered light pink (approximately RHS Red Purple             62 C-D) to pink (RHS Red Purple 73 A-B).         -   Pistil.—Number. — Usually 1, rarely 2. Generally. — Average             in size. Length. — Approximately 15.0 to 21.0 millimeters             including the ovary; Generally equal to filament's length.             Color. — Considered a very pale green (varying from RHS             Yellow Green 150 D Group to RHS Yellow Green 151 D Group).             Surface texture. — Glabrous. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe condition (shipping             ripe).         -   Date of first picking.—Jul. 31, 2006.         -   Date of last picking.—Aug. 8, 2006. The date of harvest             varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. The             ‘Nectarjewel’ variety has a medium date of picking, and a             grouped maturity: only 2 harvests in 10 days were necessary.         -   Size.—Generally. — Considered large, with a homogeneous size             between them.         -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately from 73.0 to 80.0             millimeters.         -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately from 70.0 to 73.0             millimeters.         -   Typical weight.—Generally approximately 200.0 grams. This             characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing             cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly             distinctive of the variety.         -   Fruit form.—Generally. — Round. The fruit is generally             uniform in symmetry, viewed from pistil end.         -   Fruit suture.—Wide-mouthed and smooth, extending from the             base to the apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists             along the suture line.         -   Suture.—Color. — This has generally a color similar to the             blush color of the fruit, a bright purple red (RHS Red             Purple 59A to RHS Red 46A Group).         -   Ventral surface.—Form. — Smooth.         -   Apex.—Non prominent, slightly depressed, very small.         -   Base.—Slightly wide-mouthed, shallow.         -   Stem cavity.—Generally elongated in the suture plane.             Average depth of the stem cavity is about 0.8 cm. Average             width is about 1.8 cm.         -   Fruit skin.—Thickness. — Considered very thick and strong,             and tenacious to moderately tenacious to the flesh depending             on stage of maturity. Texture. — Glabrous. Taste. —             Semi-sweet. Tendency to crack. — None observed.         -   Color.—Blush color. — This blush color is an homogenous             bright purple red (RHS Red Purple 59A to RHS Red 46A Group).             The red blush covers 90% to 100% of the fruit skin surface.             The percentage of the blush on the fruit skin surface can             vary, and is generally dependant upon the prevailing             conditions under which the fruit was grown. Ground color. —             The ground color appears until 10% of the fruit skin             surface, and is considered pink-washed red (RHS Red Purple             60A).         -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 8.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 4.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145A to 145 B).         -   Flesh.—Ripens. — Very evenly, homogenous, slow. Texture. —             Very firm, very dense, juicy at harvest maturity stage.             Fibers. — Not fibrous. Aroma. — Pronounced. Eating quality.             — Considered very good and spicy. Flavor. — Considered             semi-sweet. The Brix is superior to 13 and acidity comprised             between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml. The flavor is considered spicy.             Juice. — Very juicy at complete maturity. Brix. — Generally             superior to 13.0 degrees. This characteristic varies             slightly with the number of fruit per tree; prevailing             cultural practices; and the surrounding climatic conditions.             Flesh color. — White flesh (RHS White Group N155D), with             slightly red pigmentation (RHS Red purple 60 A to B) under             the fruit skin and red pigmentation (RHS Red purple 60 A             to B) very nearly to the stone -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Clingstone.         -   Size.—Considered medium for the variety. The stone size             varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop             load and prevailing growing conditions.         -   Length.—Approximately 30.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 22.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 18.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Elliptic.         -   Base.—Straight.         -   Apex.—Shape. — The stone apex is short, with a small             prominent tip.         -   Stone Cavity.—Considered medium size, with an elliptic-form             and dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions.         -   Stone surface.—Surface texture. — The pit is transversely             furrowed on its entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced             toward the apex. The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief             is prominent generally and present basally. Ridges. — The             surface texture is generally characterized by more prominent             ridges along the ventral edges and is more prominent at the             apical tip.         -   Ventral edge.—Width. — Considered small to medium, and             having a dimension of approximately 2.0 millimeters at             mid-suture.         -   Dorsal edge.—Shape. — Grooved.         -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally             considered an orange to red-brown (RHS Greyed Orange 173 C             to D).         -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is absent or very low,             depending on climatic conditions between blooming period and             stone hardening.         -   Kernel.—Size. — The kernel is considered medium. Length. —             Approximately 18.0 to 20.0 millimeters. Width. —             Approximately 12.0 to 14.0 millimeters. Thickness. —             Approximately 5.0 to 6.0 millimeters. Form. — Considered             oblate and elliptic. Pellicle. — Pubescent. Color. — The             kernel skin is a light orange-yellow (RHS Greyed Orange             166 C) with darker streaks (RHS Greyed Orange 166 B). The             almond is cream-white (RHS Orange White 159 D). The kernel             and its embryo are mature at the time of fruit maturity.         -   Use.—The subject variety ‘Nectarjewel’ is considered to be a             nectarine tree of the medium season of maturity, and which             produces fruits that are considered firm, attractively             colored. Fruits have a semi-sweet taste and are excellent             for uncooked consumption, crunchy or melting when at full             maturity. Due to their flesh quality, firmness and density,             they can also be commercialized as 4^(th) range product             (packed fruit or fruit in bags for example). And they are             also useful for both local and very long distance shipping.         -   Keeping quality.—Excellent. Fruit stayed a little more than             one week on tree before harvest and then, has stored well             more than 4 weeks after harvest at 2.0 degree Celsius. They             have a slow maturation and a long shelf life both on the             tree after growth completion and after harvesting without             alteration.         -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new             nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or             skin damage after being subjected to normal harvesting and             packing procedures. Its resistance to handling during             harvest and packing and its long shelf life without             alteration after harvest easily permit 3 weeks to 4             weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius.         -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular             susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is not very             sensitive to powdery mildew, or conservation diseases and             decay due to its thick and strong skin. Fruits seem not             sensitive to Monilia.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are to be expected. 

1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree as illustrated and described, characterized by fruit of very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, and with a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality and an attractive skin, with a very high percentage of red blush. 